Empowering Daughters of India through Sports

Summary

In India, Santhal Tribe is one of the largest indigenous communities in terms of population. Tribal women in their own society are considered an economic asset and their roles are vital in terms of social, economic, cultural, and religious ways of life. Yet, many of these girls live their lives without being able to decide and build their futures. Deep-rooted socio-cultural customs and norms leave them powerless and vulnerable. Child marriage, early and repeated motherhood, lack of education, ill-health, gender-based violence and discrimination, and even trafficking, continue to form a complex cause-and-effect web that takes away the independence of so many of these girls. The situation is bleak in Jharkhand. The National Family Health Survey 4 (NFHS-4) released in 2017, confirms that 63 per cent of the girls in Jharkhand get married before the legal age of 18 years and thus drop out of school.

To reignite the progress towards empowerment goals, sports can be used as a platform to catalyse change and bring girls from the Santhal Tribe back to school. INDIAdonates’ partner SAMVAD is providing training to 120 tribal girls from the age of 13-17 in football and volleyball. The spirit of sportsmanship can unite girls and mobilize them to achieve and aspire for good sexual and reproductive health, employment access, peace and reconciliation and higher education. Women who had previously preferred to stay within the confines of their homes have now discovered a way to rise above. Sania Mirza in tennis, Mary Kom in boxing, Saina Nehwal in badminton, and other modern sportswomen are examples of Indian women who, despite coming from conservative backgrounds, never gave up on their dreams. Sports, therefore, act as an important starting point to start community-based advocacy and education around gender rights, protection issues, menstrual health and participation in decision-making. 

To help them succeed, the initiative requires sports kits and uniforms, trainers and food to accommodate the training-cum-educational needs of these 120 aspirant girls. By donating an amount of Rs 1100, you can sponsor sports training for one girl for one month. Let us celebrate the spirit of Independence by empowering the daughters of India. Please donate!